Position battles shaping up for weekend mini-camp

Aside from a final OTA next Wednesday, this weekend’s mini-camp will be the last time the Dolphins work together until training camp opens on August 1.

Three straight days of work might bring the coaching staff closer to decisions when the time comes to put together a depth chart for the start of camp. With that in mind, here are five position battles that have already begun to unfold:

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1. Strongside linebacker. Matt Roth is the incumbent and Jason Taylor has been working mostly with the second team. Roth reportedly dropped 10 pounds during the offseason to help his quickness and ability to pass defend, while Taylor is still trying to prove he should be a starter at 35. Know this much: Taylor isn’t accustomed to coming off the bench and he’s not planning to accept that role now.

2. Right cornerback. As the lone veteran among three players in this competition, Eric Green was handed the job from the start. But Green got beaten out by rookie Dominic Rodgers-Cromartie in Arizona last year and two more rookies, Vontae Davis and Sean Smith, are sure to push him this time around. Smith has already gotten some reps with the first team and his ability to match up with lanky wideouts like Randy Moss and Terrell Owens has to be a plus.

3. Punter. Brandon Fields was better in his second pro season than his first, but it’s not like there still isn’t room for improvement. Australian Jy Bond figures to get some looks this weekend with the coaching staff using some of the extra time on special teams work.

4. Right guard. Word is Donald Thomas is coming around from his pectoral injury, but with his troubling injury history guys like Brandon Frye, Shawn Murphy and Andy Alleman might as well be auditioning for the starting job. Frye has so far been getting the reps with the first team, but that could easily change.

5. Tight end. While Anthony Fasano is the incumbent, this remains a position in flux. David Martin might be healthy enough to participate, Joey Haynos will get his reps, rookie John Nalbone deserves a look and even Ernest Wilford has been talked about. With Fasano and Martin both in contract years, there could be uncertainty about the future of this position for some time.